Author: Carl Jacobs

Carl Jacobs is the co-founder and CEO of Apicbase, playing a crucial role in the company's growth and success since it started in 2017. With a background in cultural management and significant managerial experience, Carl has guided Apicbase to become a prominent player in the food service industry. Beyond his work at Apicbase, Carl is a mentor at Birdhouse, a respected startup accelerator, where he supports new entrepreneurs. As a public speaker, he shares his expertise on management, growth strategies, and digital transformation in the food service sector, offering valuable insights. In his podcast The Food Service Growth Show, Carl interviews leaders in the restaurant industry. Carl holds a Master’s degree in Cultural Management from the University of Antwerp and a Master’s in Art History and Archaeology from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. This combination of cultural and business knowledge allows Carl to address challenges with a creative and strategic approach, making him an effective leader in the industry.

Buy or Build Software? How Leading CIOs Make The Right Call For Their Restaurants

As your company grows and market demands evolve, your current systems may struggle to keep up. At this point, you’re faced with a crucial decision: which parts of your tech stack should you buy off-the-shelf, and which should you custom-build? At first, I thought the answer was obvious: Why build what you can buy? Developing […]

Why IT Projects Get Shelved: Securing Executive Buy-In for Tech Implementations in Enterprise Food Service Operations

Securing executive buy-in for digitalisation projects in large foodservice companies requires more than a solid business case. Over the years, I have worked alongside some of the best IT project leads in the restaurant industry. These are the individuals who spearhead tech projects within companies, from burger chains to corporate catering businesses. I have been […]

Restaurant Digital Transformation—Embracing AI-Powered Management

Artificial intelligence (AI) and related technologies are transforming the way F&B operators in chains, hotels, and catering businesses work. Advanced analytics and forecasting… automated procurement… streamlined FoH operations… you name it, tech companies, like Apicbase, have AI working in the background or are working on it. The digital transformation of restaurants and foodservice businesses represents […]

7 Restaurant Industry Trends for 2024 – Shifts in Business Models and Operational Strategies Explained

The restaurant industry is transitioning from a static and predictable environment to a dynamic and innovative one. Let’s unravel the restaurant industry trends for 2024. What is Going On? For decades, customer expectations, business models, and business strategies in the restaurant industry haven’t changed much. Things were more or less predictable. Today, the restaurant industry […]

Restaurant Expansion Strategy: How to Grow Your Concept Into a Foodservice Empire

You are running a couple of successful locations, and you’re working on a strategy to expand your restaurant business further. That is great. Working at scale has many advantages, ranging from more effective cost management to better employee retention. That said, managing 30, 90 or 170 locations is very different from running two restaurants. In fact, […]

Letter from the CEO: Restaurant Industry, Are You Resilient?

We dedicate all our resources to helping restaurants minimise food waste and maximise profits. This goal aligns with our vision that Apicbase as a company wants to contribute to a healthier planet and a healthier industry. That is why we are building the best F&B management platform in the world. We have invested millions in […]

Why Digitisation Is Complicating Decision-Making In Restaurants

Slapping on technology isn’t a magic fix. It isn’t the antidote to the challenges of the restaurant industry. In fact, adding new tech can even complicate things more than it simplifies them. Is this an odd statement coming from a tech CEO? Probably, but before you think I’ve lost my mind, allow me to explain. […]

Digital on the Surface, Dated at the Core: Why Your Restaurant’s Digital Transformation Is Missing the Mark

Digitisation is more than introducing new technology; it requires a digital mindset – a new way of thinking that changes how restaurants operate. Historically, restaurant operators have (often) been resistant to change. Many aspects of this industry have remained unchanged for centuries. This is in stark contrast to just about every other industry. From multinational […]

Secrets of Operational Excellence: How High-performing Restaurant Leaders Optimise Operations [and What They Do Differently]

As restaurants expand to multiple locations, the challenges operators face increase exponentially. They need to maintain consistency, provide excellent customer experience and optimise performance across a growing number of locations. Meanwhile, the market keeps changing at the speed of light. Some business leaders navigate those challenges noticeably better than others. In this article, I explore […]